Rack, such as a drying rack

ABSTRACT

A drying rack comprises at least one substantially flat frame as well as slender bearing elements extending between mutually opposite sides of the frame. The mutually opposite sides of the frame each comprise a profiled section which determines a chamber which ends in a slot-shaped aperture. The bars are introduced into the slot-shaped aperture of each profiled section in such a manner that securing elements are provided in the chamber of each profiled section by means of which in each case one end of the bearing elements is fixed.

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(a) to Netherlands Application No. NL2000728, entitled “Rack, such as a drying rack”, inventor Petra Van Bracht, filed Jul. 2, 2007, and which application is herein incorporated by reference.

The invention relates to a rack, in particular a drying rack, comprising at least one substantially flat frame as well as slender bearing elements extending between mutually opposite sides of the frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Such racks are generally known. The frame may comprise metal profiled sections, between which parallel lines or bars extend. The bars and profiled sections are usually attached to one another by welding, for example spot-welding. The rack is finished with a coating layer, such as paintwork or a plastic layer. In use, the rack is positioned or placed in a suitable room or outside. The washing to be dried is suspended from the bars. Although these racks are in widespread use, there are a number of drawbacks associated with them.

One significant drawback of the known racks is the fact that the attachment of the bars to the metal profiled sections is not always finished in a satisfactory manner and may contain sharp parts which may result in damage to the washing. Furthermore, there is the problem that the welds will start to corrode over time, resulting in rust spots on the washing. In addition, the general impression of the known racks leaves something to be desired, as the quality thereof is generally seen as not being up to the expected standard.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a rack of the above-described type which performs better, is safer to use and of higher quality. This object is achieved by the fact that the mutually opposite sides each comprise a profiled section which determines a chamber which ends in a slot-shaped aperture, that the bars are introduced into the slot-shaped aperture of each profiled section, and that securing elements are provided in the chamber of each profiled section by means of which in each case one end of the bearing elements is fixed.

With the rack according to the invention, the attachment means between the profiled sections and the bearing elements is situated inside the profiled section. As a result thereof, the attachment means will no longer cause any problems in connection with the washing. In addition, a rack which is designed in this way has a more attractive appearance due to the virtually invisible attachment means.

In an efficient embodiment, the slot-shaped apertures are turned towards one another, resulting in a relatively flat or thin design.

The bearing elements can interact with the securing elements in various ways, for example the securing elements may be designed as an integral part of the bearing elements. However, a design in which the bearing elements are fixed on each end between two adjacent, separate securing elements is preferred. In this case, the securing elements may also be used to bring about regular intervals between the bearing elements. In particular, the securing elements may be placed against one another in pairs by their end edges in a series. The distance between the end edges of a securing element then determines the distance between the bearing elements. If an end edge or both end edges of each securing element has/have a recess, it is possible to accommodate an end of a securing element in such a manner that a virtually invisible attachment becomes possible. Preferably, both end edges comprise part of the recess, for example half, in which recesses of adjoining end edges the bearing element is accommodated in a tight-fitting manner.

The bearing elements preferably comprise a hook on the ends, which hook is hooked behind a securing element. To this end, a cavity may be provided on that side of the securing element which is turned away from the bearing element, which space accommodates the hook. In order to reinforce said attachment, the securing elements may be provided with connecting means by means of which the securing elements are connected to one another in pairs. The bearing element with the hook is then securely fixed between the two securing elements which are joined to one another, thereby improving the reliability of the structure.

Such connections between the securing elements can also be achieved in various ways, such as by click-fit connections and the like. Preferably, the connections have a projection at one end of the securing elements and a corresponding space at the opposite end of the securing elements. The mutually facing surfaces of the projections and the spaces of neighbouring securing elements preferably have mating connecting means. In addition, the mutually facing surfaces of the projections and the spaces of neighbouring securing elements may form a cavity which accommodates the hook.

As the securing elements can be accommodated in the chamber of the profiled section, these connecting means are reliably secured against release. The chamber of the profiled section preferably forms an undercut area, in such a manner that the largest part of the securing elements is accommodated in the profiled section in a barely visible manner. The visible part of the securing element is preferably designed as a ledge which is at the same level as the external surface of the profiled section. As a result of said ledges, the rack is given a smooth appearance due to the fact that the attachment means do not result in a noticeable interruption of the contour.

A solid, rattle-free design can be obtained if the profiled sections have a cross section which corresponds to the cross section of the chamber. The profiled sections may be made of metal, such as aluminium, and the securing elements may be made of plastic, although these components may also be made of other suitable materials. Thus, the profiled sections may, for example, also be made of plastic.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first variant of the drying rack according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a part of the drying rack according to a second variant;

FIG. 3 shows the detail from III in FIG. 1 on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 4 shows the cross section of a profiled section with a securing element of the drying rack accommodated therein according to IV from FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a securing element;

FIG. 6 shows a first view of a series of securing elements with bearing elements attached thereto, ready to be pushed into a profiled section;

FIG. 7 shows a second view of the series of securing elements with bearing elements attached thereto;

FIG. 8 shows the view according to XIII in FIG. 5;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The drying rack according to the invention illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises the frame denoted overall by reference numeral 1, which in turn comprises three profiled sections 2, 3, which are connected to one another by corner pieces 4. The supports 5 are attached to the profiled sections 2 of the frame 1 by means of the sliding pieces 6. The bearing elements which, in this example, are in the form of bars 7, extend between the mutually opposite parallel profiled sections 2.

The profiled sections 2 have the cross section illustrated in FIG. 4 which is substantially C-shaped. The profiled sections 2 have a recess 8 extending in the longitudinal direction which gives access to an undercut chamber 9. The chamber 9 is delimited by the body 10, which extends inside the C-shape of the profiled section, with two flanges 11 extending freely from the body 10 to the recess 8. The body 10, together with the main part 12 of the C shape, forms a closed tube 13, which imparts the required torsional rigidity to the profiled section. The torsional rigidity can also be increased by increasing the thickness of the body 10.

The securing elements 14 illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 8 are pushed into the chamber 9, as determined by the flanges 11 and the body 10. Said securing elements 14 have a cross section which corresponds to the cross section of the chamber 9 of the profiled section 2, as is illustrated in FIG. 4. The securing elements 14 each have a ledge 15 which is inserted into the slot 8, in such a manner that the external surface 16 of the ledge is at the same level as the external surface of the flanges 11. The rods 14 are attached to said securing elements 9 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Each securing element 9 has two end faces 17, 18 which are provided with a semicircular passage 19 and 20, respectively. The lip 21 which is provided with elevations 22 which enclose a semicircular attachment recess 23, extends with respect to one of the end faces, more precisely end face 20. Similarly, the passage 19 on the opposite surface 17 adjoins a likewise semicircular attachment recess 24 which faces in the direction opposite to that of the semicircular attachment recess 23 which is situated between the elevations 22 on the surface 18.

At its end, each rod 14 has a hook 25 which, as is illustrated in the view from FIG. 7, is hooked into the semicircular attachment recess 24 via the passage 19 in the end face 17. The lip 21 of the subsequent securing element 14, which is still to be fitted, is positioned over the hook 25, with the elevations 22 of the subsequent securing element 14 still to be fitted being click-fitted into the depressions 27. The hook 25 is thus firmly enclosed by the two semicircular attachment recesses 23, 24 of two securing elements 14 which are connected to one another.

The frame 1 is slidably suspended from the supports 5 by means of the sliding pieces 6. These have a cross section which is in the shape of a C and has dimensions such that the profiled section 2 is accommodated in a tightly fitting manner in a sliding piece 6. As is illustrated in FIG. 3, each sliding piece is to this end provided with a slot 26. In addition, one of the edges of the slot has grooves 27, by means of which the sliding piece is secured with respect to the rods 7. However, due to the elasticity of the sliding piece, the latter can be displaced with respect to the profiled section 2 and the rods 7, with the rods in each case click-fitting into the grooves in order to define the locked positions of the supports with respect to the frame 1.

The drying rack illustrated in FIG. 1 can be suspended from a railing, banister or the like by means of the hooks 32, in which case the stops 30 which are situated on the free ends of the profiled sections 2 come to lie against the vertical wall of the railing, banister or the like. The supports 5 are attached to the sliding pieces 6 by means of hinges 33, in such a manner that the supports can be folded flat onto the frame 1 after use.

FIG. 2 shows a part of the drying rack according to a second variant, with the corner pieces 4 which connect the profiled sections 2 and 3 to one another each having a support 29. The opposite ends of the profiled sections 2 are provided with hinging parts 28. 

1. A rack, in particular a drying rack, comprising at least one substantially flat frame as well as slender bearing elements extending between mutually opposite sides of the frame, characterized in that the mutually opposite sides of the frame each comprise a profiled section which determines a chamber which ends in a slot-shaped aperture, in that the bars are introduced into the slot-shaped aperture of each profiled section, and in that securing elements are provided in the chamber of each profiled section by means of which in each case one end of the bearing elements is fixed.
 2. The rack according to claim 1, in which the slot-shaped apertures of the profiled sections are turned towards one another.
 3. The rack according to claim 1, in which the bearing elements are fixed on each end between two adjacent securing elements.
 4. The rack according to claim 3, in which the securing elements are placed against one another in pairs by their end edges in a series.
 5. The rack according to claim 4, in which at least one of the end edges of each securing element has a recess which accommodates a bearing element.
 6. The rack according to claim 5, in which both end edges have a recess, in which recesses of adjoining end edges a bearing element is accommodated in a tight-fitting manner.
 7. The rack according to claim 1, in which each bearing element has a hook on each end which is hooked behind a securing element.
 8. The rack according to claim 7, in which each securing element, on that side which is turned away from the latter, is provided with a cavity which accommodates the hook.
 9. The rack according to claim 1, in which the securing elements are provided with connections by means of which the securing elements are connected to one another in pairs.
 10. The rack according to claim 9, in which the connections comprise an elevation at one end of the securing elements and a corresponding space at the opposite end of the securing elements.
 11. The rack according to claim 10, in which the mutually facing surfaces of the lips and the spaces of neighbouring securing elements are provided with mating connecting means.
 12. The rack according to claim 10, when dependent on claim 9, in which the mutually facing surfaces of the lips and the spaces of neighbouring securing elements form a cavity which accommodate the hook.
 13. The rack according to claim 1, in which the chamber of each profiled section is determined by a body which extends inside the profiled section opposite the aperture, which body, together with the profiled section part which is turned away from the aperture, forms a tube.
 14. The rack according to claim 13, in which the chamber is delimited by two flanges which delimit the aperture.
 15. The rack according to claim 1, in which each securing element has a ledge which is at the same level as an external surface of the profiled section.
 16. The rack according to claim 13, in which the securing elements have a cross section which corresponds to the cross section of the chamber.
 17. The rack according to claim 13, in which the profiled sections are made from metal, such as aluminium.
 18. The rack according to claim 1, in which the securing elements are identical.
 19. The rack according to claim 1, in which the securing elements are made of plastic.
 20. The rack according to claim 1, in which supports which are directed backwards at an angle are provided on the mutually opposite sides of the frame.
 21. The rack according to claim 19, in which the supports comprise hooks.
 22. The rack according to claim 20, in which the supports can pivot with respect to the frame.
 23. The rack according to claim 20, in which the sides are provided with stops on their rear side. 